By Odunayo Ketiku
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I welcome my readers to this week’s edition of our Devotion. It’s my prayers that our eyes of understanding be opened as we read in Jesus name. This morning, we shall be looking at the Grace Dimension.
Shall we remind ourselves again that for every of God’s purpose for our lives, He has made Grace available for its accomplishment. Without Grace, we will sweat. Without Grace, we will labour. Without Grace, we will be tired. Most especially when we are up against a common enemy- our adversary who will do all that is necessary to stop us from fulfilling destiny – , 1 Peter 5:8
[8]Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Jesus even called him the strong manin Matthew 12:29
As strong as he is, we are stronger when we allow the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ to work for us. Let’s look at the example of a king called Hezekiah. He was a man of Grace. 2 Kings 18:7a. He was on assignment of being king over God’s people. He would need to fight their battles, he would need to take them back to their God. His father messed up. Israel departed from God under his father. He had a lot to do but sweetheart, Grace was sufficient. Grace helped him. Sweetheart go for Grace, defend Grace, fight for Grace, protect Grace.
❖ Grace prospered him i.e he was successful in his assignment. 2 Kings 18:7b
❖ By God’s grace, he rebelled against the enemy. You can’t be under grace and be under the yoke of the enemy – v.7c
❖ He even subdued his enemies. He rendered their watch towers useless v.8
In spite of this, he still suffered disgrace. What went wrong? Some little foxes were in his life. Shall we look at just three in this edition. We will deal with them and look at Three promoters of grace in the next edition.
1. The little fox of Compromise.
King Hezekiah compromised – 2 Kings 18:14:
A momentary challenge, a little setback, a little shaking made him to fall back on his senses. He resorted to the best way he thought would bring solution. Sweetheart, its either grace or nothing else. That self help will bring shame. Faith is uncompromising if it will deliver. It’s Christ all the way – if I perish, I perish.
2. He negotiated with the enemy v.14b:
King Hezekiah went into negotiation with his enemy. In 2 Kings 18:14, we read “And Hezekiah king of Judah sent to the king of Assyria to Lachish, saying, I have offended; return from me: that which thou puttest on me will I bear. And the king of Assyria appointed unto Hezekiah king of Judah three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold.” Please don’t, it won’t pay you. You can not even afford the ransom that will be demanded for by the devil. Jesus has paid already. Insist on what Jesus did, He has paid the ransom for my deliverance, I have no further payment. Hallelujah!!!
3. His relationship with God was not solid enough:
He traded easily what belonged to God for the deliverance he desired. 2 Kings 18:15-16 “And Hezekiah gave him all the silver that was found in the house of the LORD, and in the treasures of the king’s house.
At that time did Hezekiah cut off the gold from the doors of the temple of the LORD, and from the pillars which Hezekiah king of Judah had overlaid, and gave it to the king of Assyria.” Sweetheart, please Do not shift God’s position to number ten when situations come up. Imagine you are ready to give to God and your son came up that same time to ask you for Ten Thousand Naira – the exact amount you chose to bless God with, what will you choose?. Who will wait? God or your child? Do not trade God in. It is dangerous.
No wonder Zennacherib came back with full force. Thank God Hezekiah repented and sought God for total deliverance.
We shall all also repent now. We have compromised, negotiated and traded off God at so many crucial points in our lives.
Shall we all turn back to Him and ask Him to forgive us and save us from disgrace? The joyful part of this relationship is that we serve a God that readily pardons iniquity. Let us take advantage of His Mercy this day and ask For His Grace to help in times of need. He is a merciful God but once we turn, we must not go back. We cannot be in sin and ask that Grace be multiplied.Romans 6:1 “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?”
His Grace makes all the difference. Just love what God loves and hate what God hates. No compromise!!!
The first leg is to accept the Grace that came through Jesus by accepting Him as Lord and Savior. Once we commit our lives no matter how unwanted we feel, He takes over and keeps pouring Grace upon us. We need to grow in Grace after we have accepted Him and that is where we need the Ministry of the Holy Ghost and the Word comes in. Take advantage of both if you really want to grow in Grace. Then you need the Assembly of fellow believers. Remember Proverbs 27:17 “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” Peradventure, you desire a place of Worship where your Relationship with God can be built and sustained, I welcome you to Christlike Assembly ( Oasis of Hope) opposite Akure South Local Government Secretariat, Ilesa Road, Akure. I can assure you by His Grace that your Spiritual growth shall be Rapid.
Our services hold every Sunday at 7-8.45 and 9-11.45am. Till we meet again by His Grace, Please Keep Hope Alive. Our God is able to carry us through. We can depend on Him. Please don’t stress yourself or your family because of the forthcoming Christmas. Remember, its not your birthday but the Lord’s birthday. Please Relax and be Happy. Don’t complicate life. Shalom!!!
